Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-03-16
Pretty Polly Hopkins
BY CHARLOTTE NJ. STANLEY.

pie VINO knew my Fblly. 1 ain oounu y
acknowledge, however, that they said 1t i
mere fun and mockery, and not ont OF com
plimeut to her beauty, for she had none.
l doubt if you ever saw homelier gil
than Polly. considering that she was not al
actual deformity; and the worst of 1t wa
that she never made any effort to improv
her looks, being, in fact, so accustomed T.
hear remarks about her ugliness that sh
hopeless job.
Her two sisters were handsome, which
made poor Polly's want of beauty all tn
more conspicuous; and as the girl, thoug'
she laughed at the remarks that were made
was secretly extremely sensitive about them
she quietly avoided being seen in their so
ciety, and, as she grew older, clung NOR
and more closely to the peaceful retiremen
of home
ssHonsework is all onr Polly's fit for,
her mother would say. GA truly gOot
girl, but not presentable." So poor Polly
relieved her of the household cares, anC
cooked and mended, and helped make hel
sisters clothes, and was their maid anf
their scapegoat, their confidante and theil
darling, all in one; for the girl was boil
hardy and clever, and as sweet of soul as
she was plain of face and person, and every
one who knew her we'll, though they might
tease and mock, never failed to like and te
esteem her.
Sometimes Miriam-the handsomest o
her sisters would say:
"Dear, little Ugly Duck" (this was an
other name they had for her), spray, lei
me comb that tangled hair of yours and fiz
it prettily, and let US alter one of my nice
dresses, SO it will fit your figure neatly. and
see if we can't make our good little sister
Pretty Polly Hopkins in reality as well al
in pame."
But Polly would answer, merrily
"What's the use of an ugly duck trying tt
look like swan? You would only make 8
fool of me. Mlrry, dear. No, no. l have
sense enough to know that Nature has made
me ugly. Let US leave Nature alone"
Nevertheless, she was, as have said
thoroughly good-hearted aud kind; aud
when their newly arrived boarder, MIR. Hugh
Melville, was carried home one day. bleed
ing aud senseess, badly hurt by fall from
his horse, it was Polly who received the
poor wounded head upon her lap, CONTROL
ing herself quietly, while her sisters shrank
away in horror. And it was to Polly's care
that the doctor confided his patient, Install
ing her as chief nurse and mistress of the
| sck-rOom.
No one disputed the position Miriam
and Agnes Hopkins were bright, merry
girls, much sought after and admired in
their own circla for their wit, and grace,
and beauty.
Hugh Melville, handsome young bach
elor, with good incnme, had pleas d and
Interested them greatly in his health and
strength; but now, in sickness and pain,
they could do little for him. Not that they
were heartless; on the contrary, they pitied
the poor fellow sincerely. and would have
tried their hands at nursing him had it
been necessary; but it was not. Pol,
cunld do it so much be ter.
| She was "a natural born nurse" the doc
tor said. Light of foot, soft of voice,
deaf of touch. quick of ear ard eve, sound
of Judgment aud tender of heart.''
And Polly Hked sick nursing. The 81
lence, and confinement, and darkness of
tie sickroOm never weaiied her.
AT last, when weeks had heightened into
months, and the soft. cool breezes of the
early fall displaced the heat aud glare of
midsummer, Polly led her invalid ous in
to the pleasant air, and seated him. tender
" and carefully, under the shady trees,
gazing upon him meanwhile with fond,
earnest eyes, in which joy and grief strove
visibly for mastery.
For, all unknown to herself. the girl had
learned 10 love the man for whom Heaven
had permitted her to do much.
$50 much" she thought, sorro wfully,
sand yet so lttle?"
his life-the doctor said so, and he himself
had he not humbly and gratefully thanked
her, calling her ''his preserver!" Still. not
even her devotion could shield him from one
terrible misfortune; the injuries had been to
his bead and face, and Hugh Melville qcos
blind!
Being blind, he fell in love with Polly.
He had never seen the poor little, "ug-
ly duck" Tokens of her care and house
wifery had surrounded him, in the shape of
we'll cooked meals and pleasant. carefully
appointed room, during the few weeks he
had boarded with Mrs. Hopkins before his
accident; but the beneficent fairy who had
secured to him these good things, being
painfully conscious of her own personal de-
ficiencies, had kept carefully out of his
sight.
And now he could never see her.
At first, when Doctor Osborne said: "Af
ter Heaven, you owe your recovery to Miss
Hopkins; her devoted nursing has done
more for you than my Skill" he thought
of Miram-beantiful Miriam-for whom
he had felt a passing admiration already.
Was it her gentle hand that touched his
wounds so tenderly?-her soft and thrilling
voice that whispered of sympathy and hope !?
One day he caught and kissed the little
hand as it ministered SO skillfnllv and kind.
Iy to his needs, and. as he held it. said:
"Oh, dear little hand, how shall ever
thank your gentle mistress? As good as
she is beautiful! Miss Miriam"
1t was a sensitive little hand. 1t gave
start within his own and flnttered, and
tuned just trifle colder, and made faint
att empt to get away. He knew instantly
that he had made mistake, but he held
the little prisoner fast.
81 have been in error; it is to Agnes I
should address my th anks, not Miriam. All,
dearest friend and nurse"
The little hand escaped. 1t had not
trembled more than the gentle voice that
answered him.
Mot Agnes. either. You neversaw me,
ly-P"lly Hopkins"
The quaint and homely name struck his
fancy on the moment. He smiled and
cried. almost unconsc cnusly:
'Pretry, pretty Polls Hopkins!"
eyes" answered Polly. qnte simply,
"that is what they all call me-"
No wonder that his imagination imme
diately invested her with all sorts of
charms.
"How I wish could see your dear face"
he said, with a bitter sigh. II so often
picture 1t to myself. Polly-a lovely, inno-
cent face. with great dark eyes, and lit
tie rosebud month-and shall never see
you-nevel! 1t is SO hard to beal!'
She had not the courage 10 uDdeceive
him, f-aring that if lie knew the truth he
would dislike her; and she loved him sol
But one day he heard Miriam call her ''dear
little nely duck
"Why did Miriam call you that?" he ask
ed.
Now Polly was truthful to the core. She
tnrned crimson before those sightless eyes,
and hid her tear-stained face, and told him
truly why.
He was silent for awhile, then put out his
hand and drew her towards him.
Then yon are not beautiful? Pretty
Polly Hopkins and the Ugly Duck are
on+? What celor is your halr, Polly?'
Red" she told him, trembling.
That was startling. Melville was a lover